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Dragon slayers

Defence is the key for Quins

Stevo Posted 17th July 2009 view comments

Harlequins coach Brian McDermott has not been rather vocal in his disappointment with his team.

He was absolutely furious after their 32-16 loss at home to Huddersfield last Saturday.

He has said they have a major problem in both attack and defence and is not to sure how to fix it.

They are still suffering from the loss of Rob Purdham and I am sure this week has been a tough one and there has been plenty of straight talking.

Danny Ward in action for Harlequins

Danny Ward in action for Harlequins

As usual I expect plenty of courage from Quins but they have some serious injuries with the likes of Purdham, Danny Orr, Chad Randall and Luke Dorn all side lined.

A lot is going to rest on the shoulders of Chad Robinson and Danny Ward who are going to have to really step up. It is going to be a really tough ask for them though.

McDermott is going to have them super fit - they may lose a bit in the skill department but they will not lose anything in the energy and fitness department. Saying that though it does get pretty warm at the Stade Gilbert Brutus and that can suck your energy no matter how fit you are.

However there are a few problems at Catalans - rumours that Kevin Walters is going to be sacked will not have helped their preparations and this is a real pressure game for them.

Stevo
Quotes of the week

LIVE ON SKY
Catalans v Harlequins

5.30pm, Sun, Sky Sports 2 &HD2

Catalans are certainly going to be doing there best to put the pressure on Harlequins. They have got some good players who can create plenty of problems in attack. Harlequins will have to be on their toes to stop the likes of Jean-Philippe Baile, Clint Greenshields and of course Thomas Bosc.

However there are a few problems at Catalans - rumours that Kevin Walters is going to be sacked will not have helped their preparations and this is a real pressure game for them.

Stevo Says

Quins will find it difficult but it is not beyond the realms of impossibility that they can win this. They have this habit of digging really deep when they need to and if they can get themselves really fired up, make sure that there defence is a lot tighter than it has been, then they are in with a chance.

Comments (1)

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Elliot Blair says...

I think that in some respects you maybe right but with the key man Chad Randall being missing it will be a tough task. Randall bosses them around the pitch and other people like Orr out they have no real kicker under pressure if they're in their own 20 and need a big kick you have to ask who is gonna come up with that big play.And as we saw against Castleford when the Catalans are under pressure they can come up with a win. With the home advantage aswell I believe it will be close but Catalans winning by 10 points.

Posted 15:34 19th July 2009

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